The contrast is immediately evident. Stepping into Marina Phuket’s spacious and leafy grounds, the hustle of Kata is forgotten. Ahead lies nothing but green, green and more green. Even the hostess who leads us to our room is dressed from head to foot in green silk.

The afternoon sun flashes through pandanus trees, satos, benjamin trees, stag’s horn ferns and traveller’s palms. Squirrels leap from branch to branch, while butterflies meander through the trees. Below, brightly coloured lizards look up to see who it is that’s making their way along the maze of raised wooden walkways that connect the various elements that make up Marina Phuket. We arrive at our easterly facing room and take in the view from the ample balcony. More greenery, and a gentle breeze carrying the vibrant sounds of nature.

Inside the classical Thai bedroom, the bedcover, the central focus, is a striking flourish of scarlet silk. Decorative carved woodwork, including panels artfully deployed over the air-conditioning vents, adds to the effect of traditional culture set amid unspoiled nature.

Famished after our travels, we head down past the centrally located swimming pool to the Sala Thai Restaurant, where staff are setting up for the evening’s dining. After a satisfying sandwich and beer, we decide to rest up a bit. Later, as the daylight dies and night takes over the exotic jungle outside, we set off to make an evening of it.

On the Rock, the establishment’s seaside restaurant, had been recommended to us as a scenic and atmospheric dining spot, follow the signposted wooden walkways down to the sea. The restaurant lies on the headland at the southern end of Karon Beach, and atmospheric it certainly is, with waves crashing on the granite boulders below and fish swimming in a large aquarium set into an inside wall.

Our meal, a delicious feast, is followed by a quick foray into downtown Kata to buy some CDs. The shopping excursion was interrupted by a few minutes spent enjoying the antics of the baby elephant at the reception area out front. We’d unintentionally missed the traditional Thai dancing and music show at Sala Thai, but had had an interesting conversation with some Europeans in On the Rock, who’d told us that they come back to Phuket Marina as repeat visitors because of its charming simplicity and elegance.

The materials used at Phuket Marina — wood, silk, cotton and ceramics — reflect this ethos. The hectic world outside fades away as the visitor is cocooned within a tropical haven for the senses.

The next morning we share the swimming pool with student divers from the Marina Diving School. Since there are no tour groups at Marina, there’s never a sense of being crowded. We’re able to enjoy a swim without disturbing anyone, working up a fine appetite for brunch before heading back out into the world again.